This paper is a report on data collection on forest potential conducted by CIFOR in participation with local communities in Setulang and Sengayan villages, South Malinau Subdistrict, Malinau District, East Kalimantan. The data, collected from a number of sources, is particularly important as the results obtained are expected to become the basis for the sustainable management of these forests. Surveys began in July 2004, and resumed between December 2004 and January 2005.

The local community in Setulang has protected its forest, known locally as ‘Taneq Olen’, with the intent of maintaining it as a conservation area to support community livelihoods...

Indonesia’s tropical rainforests are recognized as the world’s richest in terms of plant species and for having the most complex ecosystems on earth (Whitmore, 1984). The rich variety of flora includes around 4,000 tree species with potential for producing sawn timber. Unfortunately, only around 400 of these are recognized in economic terms, including the approximately 260 species classed as producers for the timber trade (Soerianegara & Lemmens, 1993). In the 1970s and 80s, the forestry sector provided a substantial contribution to Indonesian development and was the second largest generator of foreign exchange after oil and natural gas. The sawn timber and...

As was mentioned above, the communities of Setulang and Sengayan have committed to maintain and conserve their forests. International observers acknowledged that the forest in Setulang is still in pristine condition.However, it is up to local communities, the government and experts to decide what should be done, and to determine what the benefits of conservation efforts might be. All agree that maintaining the current condition of the forests was of utmost importance, and the decision of the villagers in Setulang to prevent their forest from being felled should be followed by other communities in Indonesia. For this, however, more basic...

The Tane’ Olen (protected forest) area, covering approximately 5,300 ha, is located between 3º 23’ and 3º 29’ North and between 116º 24’ and 116º 29’ East. Setulang Village comes under the government administration of South Malinau Subdistrict, Malinau District. The condition of the forest is generally excellent, in spite of there being traces of damage caused naturally (cyclones) or by human activity. One threat is encroachment by forest companies operating in Sentaban Village (to the North and Northwest) and Setarap Village (to the South and Southwest). The forests have fully recovered from the degradation caused by farming that took...

As previously stated, the Setulang Tane’ Olen forest is generally in excellent condition. Many large trees were found in numerous locations. The largest tree encountered had an above buttress root circumference of 1,250 cm or stem diameter of 398 cm. According to the local people this type of tree is called beteny. Other large tree types encountered were majau (Shorea johorensis) one of which was found at the top of a slope between the Tenapan and Payang tributaries. This tree had an above buttress root circumference of 700 cm or stem diameter of 223 cm. These large trees are generally...

The water flowing down the lower course of the Malinau River is always muddy, not only after rains have fallen, but all the time. This signifies serious degradation of the forests in the upper reaches and along the length of the river. Therefore, preventative steps must be taken to anticipate bigger disasters such as floods, landslides and drought. Such steps would be to reduce and prevent excessive logging and damaging of the forests and to designate and maintain upstream conservation areas.

The conservation of Setulang and Sengayan’s forests is vital for safeguarding the quantity and quality of water flowing through...

While forests continue to be cleared by HPH and IUPHHK concession holders in Kalimantan, there are still a small number of villagers who want their forests to remain intact, both in ecological and economic terms. An ecologically intact forest can provide indirect benefits to surrounding communities, it can keep them safe from floods and landslides, provide clear river water (except immediately after rain), and provide fresh and clean air. Economically, those communities can collect forest products (timber and non-timber, including fruits) directly and continuously over long periods of time. However, the principle of conservation must remain a guideline when collecting...

A good regional plan must be based on complete and accurate data. Therefore, all supporting elements have to be collected in order to determine spatial planning and landuse for South Malinau Subdistrict in Malinau District, of forest potential such as conducted in the forests of Setulang and Sengayan is one of these elements. Apart from collecting all details regarding the physical conditions in the area, attention must also be paid to involving all community figures. The aim being that any programs may run smoothly and avoid the current problems of disputes and conflicting interests.

Setulang’s Tane’ Olen forest is well...